Hoggard, an Ashes winner in 2005, surprisingly lost his Test place during the tour of New Zealand in March 2008.

Perhaps more surprisingly, given that he had been a consistent performer for so long for England, he never regained it, losing his ECB central contract a few months later.

He was then off-loaded by Yorkshire in October, a decision which infuriated the Pudsey-born pro, after his 43 wickets had spearheaded the county's successful battle against relegation from the top flight of the County Championship.

Leicestershire have rarely threatened to gain promotion from the lower tier in recent seasons, but with Will Jefferson, James Benning and the Australian all-rounder Andrew McDonald also moving to Grace Road, Hoggard hopes to inspire a new culture of achievement.

He's somebody everyone went out to sign, and we managed to get the name on the dotted line today

Foxes coach Tim Boon

"I've always wanted to test myself and I feel I still have a huge amount to offer the game," he said. "Working with Tim Boon, I hope we can take Leicestershire onwards and upwards."

Head coach Boon told BBC Radio Leicester: "It's a great signing, a great coup for the county. Somebody who is reliable and, in the past, very injury free.

"He's somebody everyone went out to sign, and we managed to get the name on the dotted line.

"I've worked with Matthew before within the England set-up - we're going to make him captain and I look forward to renewing that partnership again."

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